Workers at the Audi Brussels car plant in the municipality of Vorst have confiscated the keys to dozens of finished and unfinished cars. The news was first reported by the commercial broadcaster VTM and has since been confirmed by a union source in an interview with the press agency Belga. The keys to around 200 vehicles are reported to have been seized by workers, who are unhappy at the restructuring plans for the plant and the lack of clarity about the future of the factory.
The unions had already said that no cars would leave the plant until there is clarity on the future of the factory.
The unions heard that management was planning to have cars collected tomorrow. On hearing this they decided to confiscate the keys. All the keys are now being kept in a safe place. The unions say that they want clarity on the future of the plant as soon as possible.
Production remains at a standstill
Audi Brussels' spokesman Peter D'hoore told journalists that “We are currently investigating what exactly has happened. We understand that people are worried and react emotionally. We appeal to all staff to use their common sense.”
Production at Audi Brussels was due to partially resume on Wednesday following many weeks of collective leave and closure. However, workers at the factory decided not to return to work following Tuesday’s news that the Volkswagen Group will not assign a new model to the plant.